Summary SFO, originally a small airport with a single dirt runway, has grown to become the second-busiest airport in California, serving over 53 million passengers annually.
SFO has four terminals, including the oldest Central Terminal, which was reopened in 2011 after being closed for renovation following the opening of the new International Terminal in 2000.
SFO’s runway infrastructure has evolved over time to accommodate larger aircraft, with four runways now in place.
San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) beginnings can be traced back to the 1920s when Darius Ogden Mills, a wealthy banker, leased 150 acres of his estate to the City and County of San Francisco for use as a municipal airport. In May 1927, a new administration building opened at the Mills Field Municipal Airport of San Francisco, which had a single, 4,590-foot dirt runway. In its first month, the airport served 19 passengers.
Photo: Bill Larkins via Wikimedia Commons
Today, the airport is the second-busiest by passenger volume in California, behind Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). According to SFO, the airport now serves over 53 million passengers annually and is a gateway to over 125 international destinations.
Let’s explore the history of SFO’s infrastructure and facilities that have grown and evolved over the past 96 years.
SFO’s Terminals
There are four terminals at SFO. Terminal 2, originally known as the Central Terminal, is the oldest terminal building still standing. According to the SFO Museum, construction on the Central Terminal began in 1951, with an innovative dual-level design separating arrivals from departures. The terminal was dedicated in August 1954, and passenger operations began on September 1. The Central Terminal was remodeled in 1983 to provide ten gates serving international flights. It was closed when the new International Terminal opened in 2000. After extensive renovations, the terminal re-opened in 2011.
Photo: Bill Larkins via Wikimedia Commons
The South Terminal, now known as Harvey Milk Terminal 1, first opened in 1963. It was followed by the addition of the North Terminal, now known as Terminal 3, in 1979.
SFO’s International Terminal first opened in 2000. Covering 1.8 million square feet, it is the largest international airport terminal in North America. It was also one of the first to feature gates capable of accommodating the Airbus A380 wide body double-deck jetliner.
After the International Terminal opened for passenger service, the terminals at SFO were relabeled with numbers following a counterclockwise ring pattern. The only exception is the International Terminal, which is referred to as “IT.” For a rundown of SFO’s terminals and the airlines using them, refer to our SFO terminal guide.
Runways
While SFO started with just one unpaved runway, it had three by 1936. At that time, the three runways formed a triangle. Later, a fourth runway was added, and the current runway layout was established in 1948. Two parallel runways are laid out in the east-west direction and are intersected by two parallel runways oriented in the north-south direction.
Photo: San Francisco International Airport
The runways are named for their magnetic heading to the nearest 10 degrees. SFO’s runways are 1 Left/19 Right, 1 Right/19 Left, 10 Left/28 Right, and 10 Right/28 Left. As passenger-carrying aircraft grew larger over time, runway infrastructure evolved to accommodate new models. According to an SFO spokesperson, Runway 28 Left was lengthened to oblige heavier jet aircraft in 1961. Runway 28 Right was extended in 1968.
Today, the runways at SFO are Instrument Landing System/Distance Measuring Equipment ready, and Global Positioning System (GPS) approaches are approved.
Sources: San Francisco International Airport; SFO Museum
Want answers to more key questions in aviation? Check out the rest of our guides here.
When Were San Francisco International Airport’s Various Runways & Terminals Opened?
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